VA National Suicide Data Report 2005-2016
VA NationalSuicide Data Report2005–2016Office of Mental Health andSuicide PreventionSeptember 2018
VA National Suicide Data Report U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsIntroductionSuicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States, and Veteran suicide is a nationalconcern. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is committed to Veteran suicide prevention. VAcollects, analyzes, and disseminates data to better understand Veteran suicide and inform suicideprevention initiatives. Previous VA reports have documented the magnitude of suicide amongVeterans and all Americans and the need for a concerted national public health approach that isdeveloped and implemented collaboratively with public and private partners at the national, state,and community levels. VA is actively working with external partners that are committed to preventingsuicide. These include the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), theDepartment of Defense (DoD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National ActionAlliance for Suicide Prevention, Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), and many private-sectororganizations. Suicide prevention is VA’s highest priority, and VA has made important advances,particularly in risk identification and crisis intervention.To prevent Veteran suicide, we must help reduce Veterans’ risk for suicide before they reach a crisis pointand support those Veterans who are in crisis. This requires the expansion of treatment and preventionservices and a continued focus on innovative crisis intervention services. It also requires effectivenetworks of support, communication, and care across the communities where Veterans live and work. Toaccomplish this, VA has developed the National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, whichprovides a framework for identifying priorities, organizing efforts, and contributing to a national focuson Veteran suicide prevention.The current report presents new findings about Veteran suicide based on National Death Indexmortality data through 2016 for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report documentsdifferences in suicide mortality between Veterans who have and have not recently used VeteransHealth Administration (VHA) services and compares suicide rates among Veterans with rates amongU.S. non-Veteran adults. It also includes key measures pertaining to Veteran suicide — counts, rates,and breakdowns by suicide method — followed by information for specific subpopulations, includingvarious age groups, VHA users, women Veterans, and former Guard and Reserve members who werenever federally activated.1
VA National Suicide Data Report U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsUpdates Since the June 2018 ReportVA’s previous report, released in June 2018, included mortality data through 2015. The current reportreflects new data as well as other updates to the content and reporting format. Specifically, the report: Includes the most current National Death Index data (through 2016). Does not highlight the average number of suicides per day, a measure that is commonlymisinterpreted, but rather focuses on suicide counts and rates among various populations. Is briefer and simpler, improving readability. Provides information on the number of suicide deaths among Veterans and former Servicemembers who were never federally activated Guard and Reserve members. Informationregarding deaths among current Service members is not included here but is available in theDoD Quarterly Suicide Report, accessible at www.dspo.mil/Prevention/Data Surveillance/Quarterly-Reports.This report is also the first such report to include suicide rates, counts, and estimated Veteranpopulation sizes from the VetPop2016 model, by gender and age, in a detailed appendix. Thisinformation is provided for the general adult population, non-Veteran adults, Veterans overall, andVeterans who have and have not recently used VHA care. In summary, through expanded reporting,this document and the supporting materials provide valuable new information about Veteran suicideto support critical ongoing work in Veteran suicide prevention.2
VA National Suicide Data Report U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsKey Findings There were more than 6,000 Veteran suicides each year from 2008 to 2016. (Page 4) From 2005 to 2016, Veteran and non-Veteran adult suicide rates increased 25.9 percent and20.6 percent, respectively. From 2015 to 2016, Veteran suicide rates decreased from 30.5 per100,000 population to 30.1 per 100,000 population. (Page 5) In 2016, the suicide rate was 1.5 times greater for Veterans than for non-Veteran adults, afteradjusting for age and gender. (Page 5) In 2016, 69.4 percent of Veteran suicides resulted from a firearm injury. In comparison, amongU.S. non-Veteran adults, 48.4 percent of suicides resulted from a firearm injury in 2016. (Page 6) The suicide rates for Veterans ages 35–54, 55–74, and 75 and older did not increase from 2015to 2016. (Page 7) The suicide rate for Veterans ages 18–34 increased substantially, from 40.4 suicide deaths per100,000 population in 2015 to 45 suicide deaths per 100,000 population in 2016. (Page 7) Considering unadjusted and age-adjusted suicide rates for 2016, Veterans recently using VHAservices had higher rates of suicide than Veterans who did not recently use VHA, Veteransoverall, and non-Veterans. This is similar to information presented in the previous report andis consistent with findings reported elsewhere. Veterans who use VHA have physical andmental health care needs and are actively seeking care because those conditions are causingdisruption in their lives. Many of these conditions — such as mental health challenges,substance use disorders, chronic medical conditions, and chronic pain — are associated with an increased risk for suicide. (Page 8)From 2005 to 2016, there was a lower increase in the suicide rate among Veterans in VHA care(13.7 percent) than among Veterans who were not in VHA care (26.0 percent). (Page 8) After adjusting for age, in 2016, the suicide rate for women Veterans was 1.8 times greater than the suicide rate for non-Veteran women. (Page 9)The number of suicides among never federally activated National Guard and Reserve formerService members increased from 2005 to 2015. (Page 10)3
VA National Suicide Data Report U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsVeteran Suicide Count and Population SizeThe number of Veteran suicides per year decreased from 6,281 deaths in 2015 to 6,079 deaths in 2016(Figure 1). The number of Veteran suicides in 2016 remains greater than the 5,797 Veteran suicidesthat occurred in 2005. From 2005 to 2016, the Veteran population decreased by about 4 millionpeople (Figure 2). Given that the Veteran population decreased in size, the number of Veteran suicidesper year can also decrease even while the rate of Veteran suicide increases. Further information,including specific data points, is provided in the data appendix.Key Takeaway: The number of Veteran suicides per year decreased from 2015 to 2016.4
VA National Suicide Data Report U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsVeteran Suicide RatesVA examined rates of suicide among Veterans and non-Veteran adults in the United States.Unadjusted, or crude rates are helpful for understanding mortality within each population. In 2016,the unadjusted suicide rate among Veterans was 30.1 per 100,000, while the rate among non-Veteranadults was 16.4 per 100,000. However, when making comparisons, it is important to adjust fordifferences in population age and gender, as the Veteran population is older and has a higherpercentage of men compared to the non-Veteran population. In 2016, the age- and gender-adjustedrates of suicide were 26.1 per 100,000 for Veterans and 17.4 per 100,000 for non-Veteran adults.Suicide rates for both Veterans and non-Veteran adults increased between 2005 and 2016.Key Takeaways: From 2015 to 2016, the Veteran suicide rate decreased from 30.5 per 100,000 to 30.1 per100,000. Suicide rates for Veteran and non-Veteran adults increased from 2005 to 2016. In 2016, the suicide rate was 1.5 times greater for Veterans than for non-Veteran adults, afteradjusting for age and gender.5
VA National Suicide Data Report U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs6Veteran Suicide MethodsAmong methods used in attempting suicide, firearms are associated with the highest rate of suicidemortality. In 2016, 69.4 percent of Veteran suicides and 48.4 percent of non-Veteran adult suicidesresulted from a firearm injury. Among Veterans, in 2016 70.6 percent of male suicide deaths and 41.2percent of female suicide deaths resulted from a firearm injury. Interventions focused on preventingself-harm by firearm are integral to preventing Veteran suicide.Table 1: Method of Suicide Among Veteran and Non-Veteran U.S. Adult Suicide Decedents, 2016MethodPercentage ofNon-VeteranAdult SuicideDeathsPercentage ofVeteranSuicideDeathsPercentage ofMale NonVeteran AdultSuicideDeathsPercentage ofMale VeteranSuicideDeathsPercentage ofFemale NonVeteran AdultSuicideDeathsPercentage 8%5.1%8.5%4.9%9.8%8.6%Key Takeaways: In 2016, 69.4 percent of Veteran suicides resulted from a firearm injury. In comparison, theproportion of suicides resulting from a firearm injury among U.S. non-Veteran adults in 2016was 48.4 percent. In 2016, 71 percent of male Veteran suicides resulted from a firearm injury, compared to 41percent of female Veteran suicides.
VA National Suicide Data Report U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsVeteran Suicides by Age GroupThe suicide rate among Veterans ages 18–34 increased substantially in recent years, and the rate in2016 was significantly higher than in 2014 (Figure 4). Rates of suicide are highest among youngermale Veterans ages 18–34 and lowest among male Veterans ages 55–74 (Figure 6). Despite theincreased suicide rate among Veterans ages 18–34, Veterans ages 55–74 represented the greatestshare of suicide deaths in 2016, with Veterans age 55 and older accounting for 58.1 percent of suicidedeaths (Figure 5).Key Takeaways: The suicide rate for Veterans ages 18–34 substantially increased from 2005 to 2016. When comparing Veteran suicide rates by age group, Veterans ages 18–34 had the highestsuicide rate in 2016, at 45 per 100,000. In 2016, 58.1 percent of Veteran suicides were among Veterans age 55 and older.7
VA National Suicide Data Report U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsSuicide Among Veterans Who Use VHAVA examined the suicide count and rates among Veterans who recently used VHA care and Veteranswho did not use VHA care. Veterans who recently used VHA are defined as Veterans who had a VHAencounter in the calendar year of death or in the previous year. After adjusting for age, the suicide rateamong Veterans who recently used VHA was higher than among Veterans who did not (Figure 7).However, between 2005 and 2016, among Veterans who were not in VHA care, the percentageincrease (26.0 percent) in the suicide rate was greater than the percentage increase (13.7 percent) inthe rate among Veterans in VHA care. This is similar to information presented in the previous reportand is consistent with findings reported elsewhere. Veterans who use VHA have physical and mentalhealth care needs and are actively seeking care because those conditions are causing disruption intheir lives. Many of these conditions — such as mental health challenges, substance use disorders,chronic medical conditions, and chronic pain — are associated with an increased risk for suicide.Key Takeaway: Between 2005 and 2016, after adjusting for age differences, Veterans in VHA care had a higherrate of suicide but a lower increase in the rate of suicide compared to Veterans who were notin VHA care.8
VA National Suicide Data Report U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsWoman Veteran SuicidesVA examined the suicide count and rate among women Veterans. Between 2005 and 2016, womanVeteran suicide counts increased, as did the woman Veteran population (Figures 8 and 9). Afteradjusting for differences in age, the rate of suicide among women Veterans was higher than the rateamong non-Veteran women (Figure 10). The woman Veteran suicide rate decreased from 2015 to2016, but the difference was not statistically significant.Key Takeaways: From 2005 to 2016, the number of suicides among women Veterans increased.From 2005 to 2016, the woman Veteran population increased.After adjusting for age, the rate of suicide among women Veterans was higher than the rateamong non-Veteran women.9
VA National Suicide Data Report U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsFormer Guard and Reserve Service Member SuicidesBetween 2005 and 2016, the suicide count increased for former Service members who were neverfederally activated National Guard and Reserve members. National Guard and Reserve members maynot have Veteran legal status due to their type of service. This can limit their access to VA benefits andservices under current laws and regulations. In partnership with the DoD, VA now operates a mobileVet Center to increase Guard and Reserve members’ access to mental health care. Further expansionof suicide prevention activities for the former Guard and Reserve population is planned for fiscal year2019.Key Takeaways: Suicide deaths among never federally activated former National Guard and Reserve membersincreased from 2005 to 2016. In 2016, there were 902 suicides among never federally activated former Guard and Reservemembers.10
VA National Suicide Data Report U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsFor more information about VA’s suicide prevention efforts, access these online resources: Veterans Crisis Line: A free, anonymous, confidential resource that’s available to any Servicemember or Veteran in crisisWeb Link: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ Veteran suicide prevention shareable materials: Downloadable resources and informationto help support VeteransWeb Link: le-materials “Be There” public service announcement: Service members and Veterans talking about thesmall actions by friends and family members that made a big difference to themWeb Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v MCSZ7FjTq5I S.A.V.E. online suicide prevention video: Training to learn how to recognize suicide riskfactors and warning signsWeb Link: https://psycharmor.org/courses/s-a-v-e/ Make the Connection: Stories of Veterans who have dealt with mental health issues, havefound support (whether through treatment or with the help of a loved one), and are livinghealthy, productive livesWeb Link: https://maketheconnection.net/ VA Mental Health website: VA’s repository of mental health resources, information, and datamaterials, including VA’s National Strategy for Prevention Veteran Suicide 2018–2028Web Link: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/Web Link: https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide prevention/docs/Office-of tegy-for-Preventing-Veterans Suicide.pdfFor more information about the information presented in this report, contactVASPDataRequest@va.gov.To reference or cite this work, please use the following citation:Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Mental Healthand Suicide Prevention. Veteran Suicide Data Report, 2005–2016. September ets/OMHSP National Suicide Data Report2005-2016 508-compliant.pdf11
VA National Suicide Data Report U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 1 Introduction Suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States, and Veteran suicide is a national . Health Administration (VHA) services and compares suicide rates among Veterans with rates among . U.S. non-Veteran adults. It also includes key measures .
zero suicide nationwide. In conjunction with our goal to prevent Veteran suicide, VA supports the national goal of reducing suicide in the U.S. by 20 percent by the year 2025. In this National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, the goals and objectives of the 2012 National Strategy have been adapted to address suicide prevention among .
Suicide, Samaritans USA , Suicide Awareness Voices of Education , and Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. The strategy also reflects the input of family members who have lost loved ones to suicide, those who have attempted suicide, national organizations dedicated
Suicide, Samaritans USA , Suicide Awareness Voices of Education , and Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program. The strategy also reflects the input of family members who have lost loved ones to suicide, those who have attempted suicide, national organizations dedicated to
Suicide is now the second or third leading cause of death for youth in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many countries of Western Europe. If youth suicide is an epidemic, attempted suicide is even more so. For every teen that commits suicide (one-hundredth of one percent each year), 400 teens report attempting suicide (4 percent
San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council Resource Guide for Schools 2021-2022 4 After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools Grades 6-12 After a Suicide: A Toolkit for School is a comprehensive guide that will assist schools on what to do if a suicide death takes place in the school community and guidelines working with the media.
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After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools, developed by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, is a valuable guide to help school personnel prepare for the tumultuous and stressful aftermath of a student suicide and to help prevent future tragedies.
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